Transport Minister Keith Brown said: “This milestone shows that this government is firmly committed to the improvements being made at the A96 Inveramsay Bridge.

“This scheme will cut congestion and improve journey time reliability by providing free flowing traffic and reducing the likelihood of bridge strikes to the existing railway bridge. It will also improve connections between businesses and communities as part of our transport policy for the north-east.

“The work at Inveramsay Bridge is just part of a major investment package worth billions being prepared for the north and north-east, including the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route/Balmedie-Tipperty scheme, and the A9 and A96 dualling schemes.”